The New Jersey Plan was a framework for the United States Constitution proposed by the state of New Jersey at the Constitutional Convention in 1787. It was one of two plans developed during the convention, the other being the Virginia Plan. The New Jersey Plan ultimately lost the support of the majority of states at the convention and the Virginia Plan was adopted instead. Despite its ultimate failure, the New Jersey Plan had strong support among smaller states and it still has relevance today. 

One of the primary reasons why the smaller states favored the New Jersey Plan was because it provided for equal representation in the new government. Under the New Jersey Plan, each state would have one vote in Congress, regardless of size. This was a desirable solution for the smaller states, as the larger states had the majority of the population and would have had the majority of the voting power under the Virginia Plan.

Another reason why the small states favored the New Jersey Plan was that it provided for the continuation of the confederation of states. The New Jersey Plan would have allowed the states to remain independent and sovereign, while still giving the central government strong powers. This was important to the small states, as they would have been able to retain their autonomy while also having a say in the workings of the new government.

The New Jersey Plan also provided for the establishment of a national court system. This would have allowed the federal government to settle disputes between the states and ensure that the laws of the federal government were followed. This was important to the smaller states, as they would have had a say in how the courts were run and how they would be able to settle disputes.

The New Jersey Plan also addressed the issue of taxation. The Virginia Plan proposed taxation based on population, which the smaller states felt was unfair. The New Jersey Plan proposed taxation based on the value of the products produced in each state. This created a more equitable system of taxation and was seen as a way to protect the interests of the small states. 

Finally, the New Jersey Plan even proposed an amendment process. This would have allowed the states to propose and ratify amendments to the Constitution. This was important to the small states, as it would have allowed them to have a say in the workings of the new government and to be able to have their voices heard.

Overall, the New Jersey Plan was a compromise between the larger states and the smaller states. It provided for equal representation, the continuation of states’ rights, the establishment of a federal court system, and the ability for the states to propose and ratify amendments to the Constitution. All of these factors helped to make the New Jersey Plan attractive to the smaller states and it still has relevance today.